HUNDREDS of festival-goers camped out for this year's Dartmoor Folk Festival, which kicked off with an array of top musicians and entertainers last weekend.

Some of the top names in the folk world performed alongside talented local musicians and singers to celebrate the event's 32nd year running.

The festival was opened by the former landlady of the King's Arms in South Zeal, Lindie Cornthwaite, who has supported the festival from the beginning.

Visitors were entertained in the morning by a flypast by the Red Arrows, who flew overhead with a fantastic display of red, white and blue smoke, which trailed behind them as they passed over South Tawton towards South Zeal and up over Dartmoor.

The weekend had a packed programme full of music and dance, with Dartmoor Pixie Band, who were formed by the late founder of the festival, Bob Cann.

The festival also featured performances from Cogs and Wheels and Tinners Morris dancers, along with many other dance teams.

Children enjoyed their own festival, which had its own programme and ran over two days.

More than 40 children attended a workshop to learn the dance steps for the Dartmoor Broom Dance competition.

The winner of the championships was ten-year-old Beth Frangleton, from South Zeal, who also came second in last year's competition and third the year before.

Following in second place was eight-year-old Molly Marvin from South Zeal and in third place was eleven-year-old Henrietta Guard, from Cornwall.

Visitors enjoyed traditional music and crafts, which were exhibited in a craft marquee with demonstrations of reed rope making and spinning.

This year's guest line up included celebrated folk artistes Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, ceilidh band Housewives Choice, father and son the Mighty Quinns, 2009 BBC Folk Award Musician of the Year Tom McConville and David Newey.

President of the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association and widow of the late Bob Cann, Joyce Cann, said: 'The weather was marvellous and there was a tremendous amount of talent, especially young local talent.

'Bob would have been so proud.'

Association chairman Jason Rice said the weekend was packed full with some talented artists.

'It was an excellent weekend made all the better by the fantastic weather and some fantastic artists.

'Most events were full to capacity and it was a very successful festival.

'Everyone had a good time and it would not have been possible without the efforts of all those who help make it such a success.

'I would like to thank the people of South Zeal for their understanding with the increase in traffic and parked vehicles.'